NCAA: Perpetual snaps losing streak at Arellano’s expense

MANILA — Perpetual Help finally broke free of its slump in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament, taking a 65-58 win over Arellano University on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Altas had been mired in a six-game slump but improved to a 3-7 slate in Group B.

LA Casinillo came alive at the right time for Perpetual Help as he finished with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win.

“Within that losing streak, we never lost hope, we had to answer a few problems that we encountered especially in the first part of the season,” coach Olsen Racela said.

“I just told them not to lose hope, we just need one win.”

The Altas entered the payoff period with an eight-point advantage, 48-40, but the Chiefs went on a late run to give the game a cardiac finish.

Arellano’s Ernest Geronimo sank back-to-back buckets to tie the game at 58-all with 2:15 to go in the game.

Casinillo, however, fired back with two buckets of his own to send Arellano packing, 62-58, with 57 seconds to go.

Mark Gojo Cruz top scored for the Altas with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Chiefs crashed to a 5-5 record but not without Anjord Cabotaje’s 16-marker outing. Ernjay Geronimo also scored 12 in the defeat.

UPHSD 65 – Gojo Cruz 14, Casinillo 11, Tulabut 9, Gelsano 7, Borja 6, Maglupay 5, Orgo 5, Duremdes 5, Cristino 3, Corpuz 0, Roluna 0

AU 58 – Cabotaje 16, Geronimo 12, Vinoya 9, Hernal 6, Ongotan 4, Manansala 4, Abiera 3, Flores 2, Buenaventura 2, Borromeo 0, Anama 0, Valencia 0, Langit 0, Camay 0

Quarter scores: 16-15, 34-23, 48-40, 65-58